Blogs
& Articles
Gain fresh insights on learning and related topics from Sonata’s team.
Sonata Notes: How to Encourage Learning with Less “Training”
By taking a systematic approach to "informal" learning, you can meet the majority of your organization’s learning needs without a massive capital investment in training.
Sonata Notes: Surviving the “Great Shift Change”
The long-predicted skilled labor shortage in fields such as engineering, manufacturing, and construction is upon us and is expected to last for most of the 2020s. Given that most companies haven't prepared adequately for the departure of their experienced staff, how can we accelerate the recovery of labor pipelines?
Sonata Notes: Should You Outsource Field Service, or Train Your Own Technicians?
The shortage of skilled field service technicians is a major challenge for capital equipment and infrastructure companies. Is outsourcing a reasonable "quick and easy" solution for covering those gaps - or is it giving up a future revenue stream?
Sonata Notes: Hybrid Work: Best or Worst of Both Worlds?
While they differ on when and how often people should return to the office, most employers and employees agree that the future of work will be “hybrid”, with some people on-site and others at home, depending on the day. A Vergesense survey found 74% of organizations intend to adopt some kind of hybrid model long-term.
Sonata Notes: Is Remote Team Productivity Sustainable?
While multiple studies confirmed a 5-8% jump in productivity since the great shift to remote work, leaders are divided on whether this is a temporary anomaly or the dawn of a new era. There are a few asterisks to consider with the pandemic productivity figures:
Sonata Notes: Why Managers Struggle with Remote Teams
Multiple studies have found remote workers are 5% to 13% more productive than on-site workers, but you might not know it from talking to their managers.
Sonata Notes: Why Do Managers Distrust Remote Workers?
While studies during the pandemic have shown virtual teams are highly productive, many managers can’t shake the suspicion that remote employees are doing laundry or going out for lattes when they’re supposed to be working.
Sonata Notes: Beyond “Virtual Teams” – Promoting Remote Collaboration at Scale
A recent study found that, while virtual teams are 5-8% more productive, remote workers spend 25% less time communicating with peers outside their immediate group. This has some leaders worried that remote work will undermine the kind of cross-functional collaboration that drives innovation.
Sonata Notes: Can Remote Teams Have Strong Cultures?
Culture is an intangible yet invaluable asset for any organization. When people feel a sense of shared identity with their coworkers and commitment to the organization’s mission, it improves day-to-day performance and long-term talent retention. But what happens to an organization’s culture when people work remotely, instead of side-by-side?
Sonata Notes: Is Remote Work Good for Diversity?
Ask any CEO or HR director today about their priorities, and they’re bound to list remote work and diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) among the top five. And while these might seem like unrelated issues, multiple studies have found a surprising correlation between DE&I and virtual work.
Sonata Notes: Is Remote Work Hurting Gen Z?
Clearly, leaders are worried about their new hires and the impact virtual work will have one their professional development. But how do actual members of Gen Z feel about this?
Sonata Notes: 3 Critical Sources of Knowledge That Organizations Forget to Manage On SharePoint
When an organization first implements a system like SharePoint, Box, Google Drive or M-Files, they will often have their team spend a tremendous amount of time and effort uploading and tagging files in the new platform.
If Customers Want the ‘Right to Repair’, Make Sure They Get it Right
Equipment manufacturers are nervous about “right to repair” legislation. But whether it passes or not, providing appropriate training and support to customers is a smart business move.
Training Human Workers to be Smart Around Smart Machines
Amidst the buzz around AI and automation, how can manufacturers prepare clients for the reality of working with autonomous technology?
Sonata Notes: 5 Types of Training Every Capital Equipment Manufacturer Needs to Provide
Whether you produce industrial machinery or meditech, there are five key audiences every capital equipment manufacturer needs to train.
Sonata Notes: 3 Audiences Consultants Miss by Not Offering Online Coaching & Training
There will be always clients and audiences within client organizations who will never attend your face-to-face workshops, due to cost or logistical barriers. The good news is that online learning (done right) can help you reach these audiences.
Sonata Notes: Turning Workplace “Generation Gaps” into a Diversity Advantage
With Baby Boomers working into their 70s and “Gen Z” overtaking Millennials as the largest segment of the labor pool, having junior and veteran staff collaborate can boost the productivity of both.
Sonata Notes: 5 Types of Stories Your Audience Can Actually Learn From
Storytelling can be a powerful tool to engage an audience, but only if you're telling the right story. Here are five types of learning and leadership stories, and when to use each.
For NGOs using “mobile money” and cash transfer interventions, mobile financial literacy training can boost return on investment
Recently, the Gates Foundation invested millions to develop an online payment platform specifically addressing the needs of refugees and the poor. Meanwhile, a growing number of NGOs are experimenting with direct cash transfers as an intervention for everything from food security to tuberculosis treatment, emergency response and more.
Sonata Notes: 5 Ways to Help Remote Staff and In-Office Staff Work Better Together
In theory, remote work lets organizations expand their recruiting pool, reduce operating costs, and increase worker happiness. However, in practice, integrating remote workers and in-office staff can be challenging.
